1. Town Common Survey
Preliminary Results
Bolton Town Common Project
December 15, 2014

2. Statistically Significant Response
• 544 responses to Town Common survey
• Responses > 400 considered significant
• 3 narrative questions received 197-267 responses
• Key age groups represented
• Good distribution of length of time in town
• Most respondents said they would
drive (73%) or walk (11.4%) to the
Town Common
Bolton Town Common Survey Results

3. Q2: Percent Seeing Potential
Benefits of a Town Common
Relative Importance 1 - 5
Improving the aesthetics of Bolton center
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5
Increased Home Values
More Commerce
Planned Activities
Gathering Place
Improved Aesthetics 4.46
4.23
4.02
3.68
3.64
88.57%
79.32%
74.01%
62.22%
57.35%
Bolton Town Common Survey Results

4. Q3: Likelihood of Use of Common
For…
Top 7 Choices – Extent of Use
Public markets (e.g. farmers’ market, plant sale, art fairs)
Walking or jogging on trails
Organized activities/events
82.39%
79.17%.
72.73%
72.16%
69.16%
62.12%
62%
Concerts
Holiday festivities
Strolls on paved paths
Relaxing, conversation, reading
Bolton Town Common Survey Results

5. Q5: Frequency of Use
42% would use the
Common at least
once per month.
40.58%
34.81%
17.5%
7.12%
Bolton Town Common Survey Results

6. Q6: Common Design Ideas
• 242 narrative responses
• Most frequently suggested design elements:
• Parking (33 recommended)
• Coffee Shop (30 recommended)
• Gazebo/Performance Space (26 recommended)
• Trails and Paths (16 for trails, 7 for paved paths)
• Benches (26 recommended)
• Because the Common land is residential zoning,
should explore collaboration with abutting
business property for coffee shop ideas.
Bolton Town Common Survey Results

7. Q7: Other Model Commons
• 197 narrative responses
• Most mentioned commons
• Harvard (29.44%)
• Concord (10.66%)
• Lexington (7.11%)
• Clinton (5.08%)
• Westford (4.57%)
• Respondents like the “village-like”
atmosphere of these commons; in particular,
several respondents noted proximity of the
Harvard General Store to Harvard’s
Common.
Bolton Town Common Survey Results

8. Q8: Concerns about the
Common
• 267 narrative responses
• Key concerns
• Traffic/Safety (25.84%)
• Parking (22.10%)
• Tax Impacts (7.12%)
• Cost (4.87%)
• Respondents are concerned about
interactions between the Common,
traffic and pedestrian safety.
• Some expressed concerns over costs to
town.
Bolton Town Common Survey Results

9. Q9: How long have you lived in
town?
38% have lived in town fewer than 10 years
62% have lived in town more than 10 years
Bolton Town Common Survey Results

10. Q10: Household Size
2.14 adults per household
1.50 children per household
Bolton Town Common Survey Results

11. Q11: Respondent Age Range
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
55+ yrs
35-54 yrs
18-34 yrs
Percent of Respondents
Consistent with town demographics: 40% age 40-64)
55.27%
Bolton Town Common Survey Results

12. Q12: Likelihood of Financial
Contribution to the Common
Project
40%
14.9%
37.25%
7.84%
Over 200 respondents
said they would
contribute, with
another 180 still
undecided
Bolton Town Common Survey Results

13. For more information, visit
www.boltontowncommon.org
Bolton Town Common Survey Results